making life difficult for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "making life difficult for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is causing challenges or obstacles for another person or group. Example: "The new policies are making life difficult for employees who are trying to meet their targets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Juan Martin del Potro is making life difficult for himself.

The Guardian - Sport

Elche and Celta are both making life difficult for them.

The Guardian - Sport

"Any time you didn't hit a fairway, you were making life difficult for yourself," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

The paradox is that such companies are also making life difficult for Germany's European Union partners.

The New York Times

Its financial sector is heavily regulated, making life difficult for disruptive innovators.

The Economist

Paraguay has excelled at making life difficult for skilled, passing teams.

The New York Times - Sports

One of the arts of declarer play is making life difficult for the defenders.

The New York Times

His real specialty, he said, is making life difficult for himself.

The New York Times - Arts

But he also pointed to failings, including regulations making life difficult for manufacturers of medical devices.

The Guardian

Irritable bowel syndrome, too, has become extremely common, making life difficult for 15-20% of people.

The Guardian

Their outstanding manager, Michael O'Neill, succeeded in making life difficult for Wales.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "making life difficult for", consider whether a more specific verb could provide greater clarity. For example, instead of "The regulations are making life difficult for small businesses", try "The regulations are hindering small businesses" or "The regulations are burdening small businesses".

Common error

Avoid using "making life difficult for" repeatedly in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "complicating matters for" or "posing challenges for" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "making life difficult for" functions as a verb phrase, specifically as part of a predicate. It describes the action of causing problems or challenges for someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "making life difficult for" is a commonly used expression to describe the act of causing problems or challenges for someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. Analysis of various sources reveals that it is predominantly found in neutral contexts, especially in news and media, to express criticism, describe adversity, or explain the impact of certain actions or conditions. While readily usable, it's advisable to consider synonyms like "complicating matters for" or "creating obstacles for" to avoid overuse and enhance the specificity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

making things harder for

A more general and less formal way of expressing the same idea.

causing problems for

A direct and straightforward way of saying that difficulties are being caused.

complicating matters for

Focuses on adding complexity as the source of difficulty.

creating obstacles for

Highlights the act of placing barriers in someone's path.

posing challenges for

Emphasizes the demanding nature of the situation created.

putting pressure on

Implies a stressful or demanding situation is being created.

hampering the progress of

Specifically refers to hindering advancement or development.

disadvantaging

Focuses on creating an unfair or unfavorable position.

throwing a wrench into

An idiomatic expression suggesting disruption or sabotage.

burdening

Suggests adding weight or strain to someone's responsibilities or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "making life difficult for" in a sentence?

You can use "making life difficult for" to describe situations where someone or something is creating challenges or obstacles for another person or group. For example, "The new policies are making life difficult for employees".

What are some alternatives to "making life difficult for"?

Alternatives include "complicating matters for", "creating obstacles for", or "posing challenges for" depending on the context.

Is "making life difficult for" formal or informal?

"Making life difficult for" is suitable for both neutral and informal contexts. For highly formal settings, consider using a more precise verb like "hindering" or "impeding".

What's the difference between "making life difficult for" and "making life hard for"?

"Making life difficult for" and "making life hard for" are largely interchangeable. However, "making life difficult for" might be preferred in more formal contexts, while "making life hard for" is slightly more colloquial.